We had a wonderful weekend with the Jones Family from Missoula. It was fun to catch up with Ryan and Tasha, some of our closest friends from law school, as well as their boys, Preston and Adam, who we just do not see enough. The kiddos got along famously, and gave their parents some time to catch up.

On Saturday night Ryan and Tasha joined Gavin and I for a couples' night that eventually morphed into a girls' night out for Tash and myself. We then enjoyed a relaxing (okay, that may be a bit of an exaggeration with five kids in the house) Sunday.

To end a fabulous weekend, we all went to the Rib & Chop House for Grandma Barbi's 35th Birthday Bash with Jock and Gayle. The brownie dessert was a hit with the kiddos. Grandma Barbi was very pleased to have Ryan's family join us on her special day, as Ryan and Gavin grew up together and it was fun for her to spend time with him and his beautiful family.

After dinner we returned to Casa Murphy for a showing of Disney's "Enchanted," which is certain to become a classic. Tash and Ryan snuggled up on the couch with Preston, Max, Bella and Adam.

Tasha really liked the movie, as you can see from her reaction below. She assured me she would kill me if I blogged this picture, but it is soooo cute of Adam, I couldn't resist.

Kid's Kingdom in Laurel

We had a fantastic time last Monday at Kid's Kingdom in Laurel with all our friends (the park is fantastic, you can see it in the background). As all can see, we enjoyed a beautiful spring picnic with the Finks, the Glennon-Waldron family, and the Nemers. We played for three (yes three) hours and then took long afternoon naps. Max and Bella really liked taking their baby sister down the slide (see below).

Attackia Spiderman and Other Adventures

Over this last weekend, Max decided that his alter-ego would be "Attackia Spiderman." While dressing the part did not involve a Spiderman mask, it did involve his knight helmet and sunglasses. Mulligan is "Attackia Spiderman's" friendly sidekick.
Bella loves the Mullie dog as well, always including Mulligan in any of her artistic renditions of our family, floppy ears and all.

Brighton enjoyed modeling Max's "Attackia" sunglasses for the camera, but Max would not allow her to hang onto them for long.

Here's another shot of "Attackia Spiderman" this time with weaponry only, apparently a disguise was unnecessary for the task at hand.

The kids and I enjoyed a beautiful afternoon at the Zoo on Monday, with our friends Amy, Ava and Flora Fink joining us for some Zoo Montana sightseeing (although I neglected to get pictures of the Finks, we really did have a wonderful afternoon just prior to the snow (sleet?) that managed to surprise us all).

Brighton really enjoyed the kiddie equipment at the zoo, and was all smiles for the camera!

The Shrine Circus!

We had a great time at the Circus with Connor and Carter on Friday. Above, Max and Bella enjoy their new clown noses that they found hidden in the friendly clown's (below) pocket.

Brighton would not join in her brother and sister for the picture taking - in fact she screamed bloody murder whenever a clown came near!

Connor (blue), Max (yellow) and Bella (torquise, in back) enjoyed pony rides, and THEN - the were able to ride the ELEPHANT! It was very cool, very big. Bella said she felt like they might fall off because the elephant was so wobbly, but then she wasn't scared anymore.

Finally, at intermission, Bella had her face painted like a "Mariposa Butterfly." She was beautiful, as you can see (although this picture was taken after a full night's sleep - she did not want to wash her face).

What a fantastic night at the Circus, thanks to Chuck and Cindy Curnow for sponsering the Murphy's attendance at the event!

EASTER!

What a wonderful Easter it was! We enjoyed an INDOOR Easter Egg Hunt at YCC on Saturday due to the inclimate weather (only in Montana).

The kids had fun nonetheless, with Brighton even laying her hands on an egg despite the fast and furious competition.

On Easter Sunday we woke up early to see what treasures the Easter Bunney left us. we returned for Easter Brunch with just our little nuclear family, which was a first. While we missed Grandpa and Grandma Bradley and Grandma Barbi, who usually accompany us for Brunch, we still managed to have lots of fun playing with the real life bunnies and baby chicks. As you can see, the kids loved the animals, and the animals loved Max, Bella and Brighton!

We then returned to the Murphy Home for a relaxing Easter afternoon. Okay, maybe not all that relaxing since I was taking my first solo run at a holiday dinner (I missed you, Mom!), and our new disposal exploded and flooded all over the floor, which added a bit of excitement. Papa Jerry and Pam joined us for Easter dinner (right after the clean-up) and another Easter Egg hunt in our front lawn. What a day it was!

MEXICO!!!

We enjoyed our fourth annual trip to Mexico this year with four generations of Brooke's Family: Great Grandma and Grandpa Rice, Grandma the Great Bradley, Grandma and Grandpa Bradley (Brooke's parents), along with Uncle Joe and Auntie Ali, cousins Connor and Carter, and Auntie Kendall. Fun and sun (and exhaustion) were had by all.

Max and Bella soaked up the sun (through 50 spf sunblock) and enjoyed spending time with their counsin, Connor. Brighton approached sand with some trepidation (it is dirt, you know) but was diving in with buckets and shovels by day two.

Gavin and I tried to relax, but forgot how busy suncreen, sand, and saltwater keep us, especially with a one year old thrown into the mix! We were exhausted and went to bed with the kiddos most nights. It was such a blessing to have the opportunity to spend time with my grandparents, and for them to see the wonderful legacy they are leaving in their great-grandchildren.